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Twelve of these poems have appeared under 
the name of Francesca Miller Ressing in the fol- 
lowing Texas papers: 

San Antonio Express, Waco Times Herald, 
Fort Worth Record. 



APR iSf9i5 



REVERIES AND RHYMES 



LOVE'S EPITOME. 

Her First Kiss. 

She kissed me! 

Like petals falling from a rose, 
So soft; 

Like summer fields v/Kere sunshine glows. 
So warm; 

Like poppies, nodding in repose. 
So light. 

Life still runs on with throbbing veins. 

But always one sweet thought remains — 
She kissed me! 

Rest. . 

"Deus haec otia fecit." God hath made this 
a rest. 

Since first I met Thee, life has been 
A melody with one refrain. 
Contentment; with thine arms about; 
Peace, that I could not live without; 
Dear one, 'tis only thus expressed — 
"God hath made this a rest." 

To find, to love, to have, to hold. 
Life could not pay me brighter gold. 
This tenderness and truth which lies 
Within the love-light of thine eyes! 

I bow my head upon thy breast 

"God hath made this a rest." 

Requiem. 

My Love lies dead. The withered leaves 
Fall silently from dying trees 

Upon her grave; her new-made bed. 
Yet not alone she sleepeth there. 
For hushed upon her breast so fair, 

My heart lies dead! 

PAGE SEVEN 



REVERIES AND RHYMES 



ENDURANCE. 

To suffer is the test of Birth, 

Of Rank, of quality. 
Who bears in silence and alone, 

A "thoroughbred" is he! 
Endurance is the mark of kings I 

To silence they revert. 
He only is low-born, indeed. 

Who needs cry out when hurt! 



PAGE EIGHT 



REVERIES AND RHYMES 



I THANK THEE, LORD! 

I thank Thee, Lord, for every pain I suffer here; 
I thank Thee that a smile may show 

Beneath the tear. 
From every fall — there's need to rise! 
In every grief — a lesson lies! 

I thank Thee, Lord, for every sin 

Half-overcome ; 
I thank Thee, Lord, for every race 

But partly won. 
For every loss — shows me the Piize! 
And every Hell— PROVES Paradise! 



PAGE NINE 



REVERIES AND RHYMES 



CHARITY. 

A beggar lay on the city street, 
With a crippled back, and a cup at his feet; 
"God's pity," he cries to the passerby, 
But he sees Life better than you or ll 

A woman, robed in furs of brown, 
From her limousine was stepping down; 
Her fair face hardened, her eyes grew cold. 
As she passed the beggar who needed gold. 
*"Tis a careless city; an ill-kept street, 
That allows such vermin under my feet! 
Encouraging loafers, fostering crime; 
I'll speak to the mayor, when I have time I" 

Another woman beside her stood. 
Who had tasted evil and knew not good; 
From her draggled hat to her shabby feet 
She was lab'led a woman from off the street. 
She gazed at the beggar with knowing look. 
And out of her purse some pennies took. 
"My money is earned from the gutter, too, 
But that doesn't matter to me or you." 

A beggar lay on the city street. 
With a crippled back, and a cup at his feet; 
"God's pity," he cries to the passerby. 
But he knows Life better than you or 1 1 



PAGE TEN 



REVERIES AND RHYMES 



MY BABY. 

Little specks of blue, 

Some folks call 'em eyes, 

Mother knows they're simply 
Pieces from the skies. 

Little streaks of red. 

Some folks call 'em lips, 

Mother knows the scraps fell off 
Where the sunset dips. 

Little wisps of gold. 

Some folks call it hair. 

Mother knows a sunbeam 
Caught, and melted there. 



PAGE ELEVEN 



REVERIES AND RHYMES 



THE LAND OF MIGHT HAVE BEEN. 

There's a beautiful land of Might Have Been 

Which lies by the river of Past, 
Where dwell the shadows of Other Days, 

And the Dreams that cannot last. 
The violets grow beneath the grass, 

And the heather over the fen, 
But the violets w^ither, the heath grows brown. 

In the land of Might Have Been. 

We all have sailed to this distant land 

Dow^n the long, swift river of Past, 
And we've taken our dreams and our longings 
there. 

And built us a stronghold vast. 
Wherein we treasure each smile, — each sigh, — 

Each hope, — each kiss, — and then — 
We silently bar the heavy gates 

To the land of Might Have Been. 

And silently still, though our eyes are wet, 

And our hearts are numb with pain, 
We turn our steps in the paths of Fate 

Back to our lives again — 
Back to the land of That Which Is, 

Forgetting — if we can. 
Oh, God — could we only keep our thoughts 

From that land of Might Have Been! 



PAGE TWELVE 



REVERIES AND RHYMES 



MY LOVER AND MY FRIEND. 

My Lover reveled in my smile^— 

As roses in the sun, 
And staid contented at my side 

While life was sweet and young. 
But when a shadow crossed my face. 

And pain and sorrow met, 
My Lover turned and left me then — 

For lovers soon forget! 

My Friend, whom I ne'er smiled upon. 

Nor welcomed in my heart. 
Had never left me, but kept watch — 

A little way apart. 
And when he saw my loneliness, 

He came and shared my pain. 
For lovers run at fleeting smiles — 

But friends, true friends, remain I 



PAGE THIRTEEN 



REVERIES AND RHYMES 



INTO THE NIGHT. 

I. 

Betrothal. 

Do you ever think, my sister, 

As you lean on your lover's breast. 
And feel his strong arms, and listen 

To his promise of love and rest. 
That somewhere out in the wide world. 

Beats a heart that is young, like yours. 
That has had its hope and its longing, 

its dreaming of pleasure pure. 
But that now^ is stricken with sorrow, 

All hope and contentment dismissed, 
And the lips that now are drooping 

Are the lips that once w^ere kissed. 
So when your heart is rejoicing 

And the world seems wond'rous and bright 
Breathe a prayer for that other sister 

Who is drifting out — into the night. 

II. 
Marriage. 

Did you pause to think, my sister. 

As you stood by your husband's side, 
On the rose-covered steps of the altar, 

A trusting and earnest bride. 
That somewhere out in the w^ide-w^orld 

Was another w^oman, — like you, — 
Who would never know the beauty 

Of a love that proved deathless and true! 
Whose life had been wrecked and forsaken, 

Who had never been loved — as a wife. 
But whose days would be always clouded — 

A hopeless and lonely life! 
So before you leave the Altar 

For the world beyond so bright. 
Breathe a prayer for that other sister. 

Who has drifted out — into the night. 



PAGE FOURTEEN 



REVERIES AND RHYMES 



III. 
Motherhood. 

Do you ever think, my sister? 

As you kneel by your children's bed, 
And stoop to kiss the eyelids, 

Or stroke the curly head. 
That somewhere out in the wide-world 

Is another woman like you, 
Who has known the joys of a mother 

And the love and devotion, too; 
But who now is sitting in silence 

By the side of an empty bed, 
And the mother-heart is breaking 

For the sight of a curly head. 
Oh, kneel by your children's bedside. 

Where your future beckons bright, 
And breathe a prayer for that sister 

Who's a mother no more tonight. 

IV. 
Life's End. 

Do you pause to think, my sister. 

As your life is nearing its close 

And the promise of Heaven is dawning 

Where the sunset color glows. 
That somewhere out in the wide-world. 

Is another heart nearing its end; 
With no children, no dear ones around her. 

And often no home, and no friend! 
A w^oman whose life has been empty. 

Or darkened by sin or by woe. 
And now who is hearing the summons — 

But is blindly afraid to go! 
Oh- pause on the threshold of Heaven 

Where your soul is awaiting the light, 

And pray to your God for that sister, 

Who is going out into the night. 



PAGE FIFTEEN 



REVERIES AND RHYMES 



ONE MOONLIGHT NIGHT. 

A moonbeam stooped and kissed me 
As I stood 'neath her silver rays, 

But my heart was chill, 

And my soul was still. 
In the flood-light of her gaze. 

My lover stooped and kissed me 
As I stood 'neath the April skies. 

And my heart throbs spoke, 

And my soul awoke, 
In the lovelight of his eyes I 



PAGE SIXTEEN 



REVERIES AND RHYMES 



A MIRACLE. 

My eyes were blind 

Before the healing touch 

Of Christ's own pierced hand I 

I could not see 

Save in my narrow way. 
I did not understand. 

But now I see — 

Each lesson in a flower, 

Each truth in springing grain. 

I see the soul — 

In every neighbor's face; 

I see the good — in pain! 

My eyes were blind — 

Before the gentle words 

Of Christ's own voice divine I 

"Believe and seel" 

(But not of narrowness, 

The sight He gave as mine.) 

Yes, now I see — 
Each sorrow^ to relieve; 
Each burden to make light. 
I see but "good" — 
Since Christ restored to me 
The Miracle of Sight I 



PAGE SEVENTEEN 



REVERIES AND RHYMES 



MY MOTHER. 

(Written and published "AloiLer's Day," May, 1913, for my Mother, 
Mrs. Louis Folk, as a token of love and gratitude for her lifelong 
devotion.) 

Into her arms they laid me, newly born, 

And those who stood beside her said she smiled 
With that same holy smile that angels wear; 

She loved me from my birth her little child! 

Forgotten were her hours of agony; 

Forgiven, Life, for every cruel pain! 
"She smiled" and drew^ her baby close. 

And there a Mother-love w^as born again. 

All through my childhood — ah, what happy 
hours! 

I knew no care — She made Life one sweet 
song; 
If tears were shed, her kisses healed the wound. 

If laughter reigned, she helped the joy along. 
From infancy, while nursing at her breast. 

To schooldays earnest, studious hours 

She loved and guarded, cherished and adored; 

Madonna, Mother! Keeper of God's Flowers. 

To womanhood I came with untouched, untried 
heart 
And mind, to w^alk Life's Journey, long. 

Still with a knowledge that my Mother gave 

A knowledge that would keep her child from 
wrong. 
All that I was, to her sweet Love I ow^ed. 

Of Life's gifts she had given me her share, 
And when she placed me at the World's wide 
door 
I could command the best, and meet it there! 

Then, with the seeming cruelty of youth, 

I met — and loved nay, even left Her side 

For him who called! — Oh, Happy thoughtless- 
ness — 

I left my Mother to become his bride. 
And she, brave heart, with her own gentle 
hands 

Arrayed me for that sunny wedding day. 
Hiding the tears, the bitter loneliness. 

Until, from sight, she watched us drive away. 

PAGE EIGHTEEN 



REVERIES AND RHYMES 



My bridal home, so sweet, so bright, so pure, 

Which, e'er I came, she decked with sweet- 
est flowers, 
And waiting, welcomed me to my domain 

Where I would spend long, busy, happy hours. 
Then, while we waved "good-bye," she went 
back "home" 

To spend the night in fondling some small toy 
That would remind her of her Baby Girl, 

Forgetting her own loss in my new joy. 

And when in weak'ning pain I journey'd far 

On that long road which women tread alone — 
To Heaven's Gate — to find the little soul 

And bring it back, my little child. My Own! 
In those long hours, while fighting Death for 
Life, 
She came, and kneeling, took my trembling 
hands. 
And having journeyed that same way herself, 
She whispered, "Dear, your mother under- 
stands!" 

And now the years have brought their work and 
care. 

Both joy and grief, the Sunshine and the Rain. 
But through it all the one heart never failed — 

My Mother shared my every joy and Pain! 
Bad: to her arms now, many times I come 

As in my careless, far-off childish days, 
Knov/ing she keeps me ever in her thoughts. 

Knowing she loves me ever when she prays! 

And should the Dear God, when he bids her 
"come" 

To that Fair Other Home beyond my sight. 
Remember me with pity, let Him then 

Give me her "Spirit-love" to cheer my night. 
Oh Christ, who knew a Mother upon Earth — 

And knew what Love a Mother's heart may 
give,— - 
Send me the "nearness" of my Mother's soul. 

To guide, protect and bless me while I live! 

PAGE NINETEEN 



REVERIES AND RHYMES 



BIG (?) SINS AND LITTLE (?) SINS. 

You rail at the theatre, the stage, the show; 
Is your temper sweet and your anger slow? 

You storm at the dance or at music gay; 

Do you smile on your household each new day? 

You condemn all cards as a gambler's game; 
Do you gossip about a woman's name? 

You judge your neighbor's religion, too; 

Is your charity broad; is your worship true? 

You scorn the sinner and drunkard low^; 

Did you lend them a hand, or give them a show? 

The Dance, the Play, the Game soon are past, 
But the Love you create is the thing that will 
last! 



PAGE TWENTY 



REVERIES AND RHYMES 



FORGIVE US OUR SINS. 

I could not sin the petty sins 
Of greed or spite or gain, 

Nor soil my life with jealousies, 
Nor wish another pain I 

But when my sins confront me here 

I know that while I live 
There could not be more greater sins— • 

And so — forgive! Forgive! 

I could not take my neighbor's hand 
And treat that neighbor mean. 

Nor strike a child, nor kick a dog. 
Nor lie, to harm unseen! 

But when I sin, the very depths 
Of hell no more could give! 

A soul w^ill need to pay the cost — 
And so — forgive. Forgive! 



PAGE TWENTY-ONE 



REVERIES AND RHYMES 



LOVE. 

'Tis not the perfume of the rose, 

'Tis not the jewel's gleam, 

Nor ripples on the summer sea 

Where lovers sit and dream. 

'Tis not the springtime's bud and breeze 

Nor winter's fireside glow, 

'Tis just the "Peace of God on Earth" — 

Dear heart, because I know. 



PAGE TWENTY-TWO 



REVERIES AND RHYMES 



REFLECTION. 

In dark and muddy pools that lie 

Along the winding way, 
Look for the stars reflected there — 

You'll find each tiny ray. 
Absorb the cheery, happy light, 

Sent from the skies above, 
Forget the sullen waters black, 

And see reflected Love I 

In cloudy sky, in threat* ning storm, 

That darken earth's fair face, 
When 'cross the grey map of the clouds 

Is spun the lightning's lace, 
Look for the welcome, pattering rain — 

Forget the storm above — 
Watch how the flowers lift up their heads 

And see — reflected Love! 

In each man's soul, in each man's face. 

Where scars of life are lined, 
And sin or failure, want or woe, 

Is all you seem to find. 
Look for the tiny spark of good. 

Let charity be broad. 
Forget the sins, the scars, the wrongs, 

And see — reflected God! 



PAGE TWENTY-THREE 



REVERIES AND RHYMES 



APPLE BLOSSOMS. 

I saw her first among the pink and white 
Of Apple-blossoms, — falling at her feet — 

From ghostly branches. And in that Spring light 
She looked herself a blossom, young and 
sweet. 

And then from out the rosy, scented air, 
I heard the silverv music of her voice — 

Laughing as petals fell upon her hair — 

And knew my heart at last had made its 
choice! 



PAGE TWENTY-FOUR 



REVERIES AND RHYMES 



A FANCY. 

Pale moonlight glistening on the snow; 
Or shady banks where rivers flow; 
The early violet, dew-pearled; 

The hum of bee; 

The summer sea; 
How God must love the world I 

The clasp of hand in trouble's hour; 

The open petals of a flower; 

A baby's hair — soft, downy, curled; 

The shadows long; 

A robin's song; 
How^ God must love the world! 



PAGE TWENTY-FIVE 



REVERIES AND RHYMES 



LULLABY. 

Starlight 

Far-light 

Into the window shine. 

Dream light 

Beam light 

Soft on this babe of mine. 

What are her mother's eyes? 

Visions of dreamland skies 

Whereto my darling flies — 

Drifting away. 

Wind blow — 
Fire glow 

Shadows are hovering near. 
Sing low 
*'By-lo!*' 

Baby has naught to fear. 
What is her mother's arm? 
Cradle and pillow warm, 
Where she is safe from harm — 
Rocking away. 

My Sweet 

Dream sweet. 

Morning will soon be here. 

Hours fleet 

Sleep sweet 

Playtime is drawing near. 

What is her mother's breast? 

Haven of love and rest. 

All that her soul holds best 

Sleeping away. 



PAGE TWENTY-SIX 



REVERIES AND RHYMES 



A glaring sun: a blinding rain: 
The reek of sin: the grip of pain: 
Regret; endurance; struggle: strife. 
And is this Life? 

A purple sky: a silence deep: 
A last, long, restful, dreamless sleep. 
A smile of peace: one soft, tired breath. 
And is this Death? 



PAGE TWENTY-SEVEN 



REVERIES AND RHYMES 



LIFE'S LESSON. 

The hardest lesson, my earnest friend, 

That you'll need to learn, 'fore your journeys 

end; 
Is not to suffer in silence grim. 
Nor work till you're tired in brain and limb, 
But the lesson is this — 
To wait ! 

You laugh? Quite so, my doubting friend, 

But the truth is the truth "to the bitter end." 

When you've captured patience you've cheated 
"fate" 

And when you have learned to wait and wait, 

You will have learned — 

To live I 



PAGE TWENTY-EIGHT 



REVERIES AND RHYMES 



THE TRAIL. 

Did you ever see in the western land 

A narrow, winding "trail," 
And found that life and safety lay 

In that path so steep and frail? 
Over the rocks, down the hill, 

Past canons rugged side. 
It leads you surely, safely on — 

To the plains of the safe "divide." 

So, often, seems our path in life. 

Like a trail on the Western way. 
The winding road is bound about 

By sorrow and pain each day. 
The dangerous rocks of the canon yawn 

As our path winds up its side, 
But place your faith in the narrow trail — 

For it leads to the "Great Divide!" 



PAGE TWENTY-NINE 



REVERIES AND RHYMES 



GREATNESS. 

They say to suffer brings the greatest gain. 
They say the Great become thus great thro* 

pain. 
*Tis truth! A wondrous doctrine! But yet — 

wait; 
Remember all who suffer are not Great! 



PAGE THIRTY 



REVERIES AND RHYMES 



MY SHIP. 

My life is like a ship, the wide, blue sea 
Is but the World — so measureless and vast. 

The waves sometimes are high, — they cover 
me, — 
And oft I think my hope and peace are passed. 

I see the other boats astride the waves. 

Their sails are white, their cargo fresh and 
fair. 

Again I see the wrecks of sinful lives 

Adrift against the black rocks of despair. 

Sometimes the sea is blue and calm with peace, 
No storm-waves beat against my firm boat's 
side. 

And straight before me lies the Harbor safe 
Toward which, all the many vessels ride. 

But though our lives are happier in the calm. 
And sweet the day — and deep with peace the 
night. 
We make but little headway t* wards the port. 
From which streams forth the welcome morn- 
ing light. 

For 'tis not calm and balmy seas of blue. 
That make our wilful ship of life sail fast 

And ride triumphant into sheltering Port 

'Tis God's own storms that drive us home at 
last. 



PAGE THIRTY-ONE 



REVERIES AND RHYMES 



THE WIFE. 

I loved him so — I let him go I 
He did not know my sacrifice, 
And did not need the love I prize, 

The wealth of heart I could bestow. 

He smiled — and pitied e'en my woe, 
Then tried to comfort me the more — 
But chafed beneath the yoke he w^ore, 

And so — and so — 1 let him go! 



PAGE THIRTY-TWO 



REVERIES AND RHYMES 



DEAR EYES. 

Dear merry eyes, 

Dear shining eyes, 

Where do you look today? 

"Upon a world I wish to know; 

This life of work and play. 

For youth is joy, — the path is there. 

And I must learn my way." 

Dear merry eyes. 

Dear shining eyes, 

Be careful where you stray I 

Dear saddened eyes. 

Dear tear-stained eyes. 

Where do you look today? 

"Upon the world I wished to know. 

The world I thought was gay. 

For youth believes in life and joy: 

Soon turn the bright skies grey," 

Dear saddened eyes. 

Dear tear-stained eyes, 

'Tis ever thus we pay! 

Dear tender eyes, 

Dear loving eyes, 

Where do you look today? 

"Upon the world — her children there — 

The need to work and pray! 

To suffer much; to help; to guide; 

To fight with life each day!" 

Dear tender eyes. 

Dear loving eyes, 

T'ward Heaven lies your way! 

PAGE THIRTY-THREE 



REVERIES AND RHYMES 



DINNA YE KEN? 

*Tis time I gang to work, lass, 

I canna dream a' day. 
There's cuttin' down o* grain, lass. 

There's reapin' o' the hay. 
But through the live-lang hours, lass, 

Ye might think oft* o' Ben. 
Who loves ye bonny well, lass. 

Darling — dinna ye ken? 

'Tis time I gang to sleep, lass, 

I canna think a* night, 
The whippoorwill is callin' me 

To snuff my candle light! 
But soon will come the dawn, lass, 

I'll dream o* ye till then. 
For I love ye bonny well, lass. 

Darling — Dinna ye ken? 



PAGE THIRTY-FOUR 



REVERIES AND RHYMES 



BRAVERY. 

There is no need for braver deeds. 

Than those performed each day, 
To conquer fear, to capture joy. 

To watch, to fight, to pray. 
To meet each loss with some new gain, 

Each pain with some fair smile. 
We'll earn a brave soul's recompense — 

For courage that's "worth while!" 

As when the diver, braving death. 

Dives deep beneath the foam. 
So we, from out life's troubled wave 

May bring our treasures home. 
To meet our enemy with love — 

To close our eyes to sin 

Forgiving as our Christ forgave — 

Brave! Steadfast! We will win I 



PAGE THIRTY-FIVE 



REVERIES AND RHYMES 



IS IT WORTH YOUR WHILE? 

Is it worth your while, my sister, 

To send forth a cruel w^ord 

That will mar or stain, 

Another's name, 

Where'er it is spoken or heard? 

To bring the tears to a w^oman's eyes. 

To see her tremble w^ith fear. 

Is it w^orth your w^hile 

To turn her smile 

To a sigh or a bitter tear? 

It is worth your while, my brother. 

To crowd a man to the wall? 

To strive to gain 

By another's pain. 

Or to see a neighbor fall? 

To watch the drift and wreckage 

Of another man's lonely soul, 

It is worth your w^hile 

To kill his smile. 

And win for yourself the goal? 



PAGE THIRTY-SIX 



REVERIES AND RHYMES 



1 PLANTED ME A GARDEN. 

I planted me a garden — 

In the Spring. 
And in the warm sweet earth 
Seeds sprang in flower-birth. 
Ah, Life was mirth, all mirth — 

In the Spring. 

I gather'd from my garden 

In my Youth. 
First early lilies white, 
Pure dreams of love and light, — 
Ah, Life was bright, so bright — 

In my Youth. 

I cut me crimson roses 

Later on. 
Each one a heart-throb mad. 
Knowledge of all earth had. 
Ah, Life was glad, all glad — 

Later on. 

I pulled the quiet myrtle 

After that. 
For sorrow came with years. 
Dead hopes; dim faith; and fears. 
Ah, Life was tears, — all tears — 

After that. 

Dismantled lay my garden 

In the Fall. 
But when the tumults cease, 
I'll plant the brave Heartsease! 
For life is peace, — all peace — 

In the Fall. 



PAGE THIRTY-SEVEN 



REVERIES AND RHYMES 



GOOD-BYE. 

Every country has its own 

Farewell cry, 

You and I — 
Simply say a-down the years 
Words that tremble thro' the tears, 

"Dearest Heart 

Good-bye!" 

Where the sun-kissed fields of France 

Lie in dew, 

Sky of blue; 
Dusky hair and witching way; 
Shrug of shoulder; parting gay. 

"Au revoir — 

Adieu!" 

In the hills of sunny Spain 

Ever thus, 

Dear to us, 
Castinet and tambourine, 
Lacy veils or satin sheen, 

Cry to us — 

"Adios!" 

On Italia's vine-clad shores 

Flowers blow; 

Rivers flow. 
'Neath the olive branches* shade 
Lovers' parting serenade. 

"A rivederci, — 

Addio!" 



PAGE THIRTY-EIGHT 



REVERIES AND RHYMES 



In the northern German land 

Homefolks reign, 

Noble strain, 
Quiet, they — of sober mind. 
Speak their parting gracious, kind. 

So — "Auf — 

— Wiedersehen I" 

Every country has its own 

Farewell cry; 

It's "good-bye." 
But our own more precious seems, 
"God be with you," dear, it means. 

With a sigh — 

And — "Good-bye." 



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